BLACK MAGPIES COLLECTING NESTING MATERIAL

“On the late morning of 19th February 2014, a pair of Black Magpies (Platysmurus leucopterus) was spotted along a forest edge in Selangor, Peninsular Malaysia. They had descended onto the forest floor and were expressing interest in the lush, green moss that was growing upon the rocks and boulders (above).

“After the initial inspection of the moss and satisfied with its quality and quantity, they began to collect these bryophytes with their beak (above).

“The mouthfuls of moss were then brought up into the forest trees at mid-storey, where a possible nest-site was just out of sight, obscured by the dense vegetation. A brief video clip of the moss collection may be previewed below.

“The breeding period for Black Magpies is typically between December and May (Robson, 2000).”